I do like that they included the old facades, I was just wondering why they don't use them as a reference for the new building. I find the old facades visually more interesting, they look more urban than building that will surround them. This plan seems to be the right size, but I don't think apartments overlooking 496 is the greatest idea either, The upper floor windows would look right into the depression and then be filled with the white sided GM plant and the huge Eckert power plant and it's huge towers. Any other direction would offer better views.
I like the incorporation of the old with the new. I saw Simular ype of development in Toronto last fall. Old architecture facade with built into a completely modern new sky scraper.
Hmm, what a weird project. I liked the first design the best (minus the ground level garage). It seemed way more contemporary...but also probably quite a bit more expensive.
I agree that this latest arrangement is awkward. The commercial portion is cheesy. The brownstones on the service drive don't really make sense. And I'm afraid the new structure would diminish those cool old buildings.
That said, I don't know if this is a very high-stakes site and we should probably be rooting for infill anywhere in the downtown area.
I wouldn't say what we see here is what we get. The apartment building will likely either get built or not get built, but the listing for the office building still says "build to suit," so there's certainly a chance that we could get something different at the Washington/St Joe corner or that the apartment building could be built without anything going at the corner. Of course this project may never happen at all, there's nothing about this that screams "imminent construction."
I am thinking much the same thing, it is still at the could be stage and right now it is not so great. But I have found the conversion interesting, and I think may be the point if this site, to talk about what is and what might or even could take place in Lansing. I want anything built to be the best not just "well they did build something". I know that may not be possible in today's Lansing but I really don't know why.
The owner/developers of land sometimes announce projects with prospective designs to gather interest from potential investors or future lease-holders. Many will wait until the tenants have signed on before starting construction, which helps with loans and reduces risk.
@Michmatters I agree that this is a high profile site, I just meant the stakes are low given how long it has existed as a parking lot. Obviously too many similar parking lots on this side of downtown, but also a lot of good building stock too. Will be interesting to see how infill development (slowly) plays out on this side of town. There are some great examples east of Washington, but it's more residential back there
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I agree that this latest arrangement is awkward. The commercial portion is cheesy. The brownstones on the service drive don't really make sense. And I'm afraid the new structure would diminish those cool old buildings.
That said, I don't know if this is a very high-stakes site and we should probably be rooting for infill anywhere in the downtown area.